Semrau Thinking About Visits

Richard Semrau's season is over but his recruitment appears to be heating up. The forward has a few visits he'd like to take and numerous schools are aggressively pursuing him.

Last week, Richard Semrau's season ended with a loss in the district finals. The 6-foot-9 forward out of Rocky River (Ohio) Lutheran West finished up averaging 22 points and 13 boards.

"We went 22-1 so it was sweet," Semrau said. "It was a good run."

Good enough to have major college powers extremely interested in his services. You know schools are serious about you when head coaches make the trek to your school.

"Bruce Weber has been up twice, so has Billy Donovan and Skip Prosser has been up here twice," Semrau said. Roy Williams was in the house for his final game of the season last Friday.

As far as offers go, Wake Forest, Illinois and Florida have offered both visits and scholarships. "I'm going to have my decision made by the fall," Semrau said. "I think there is going to be an offer from North Carolina."

Semrau would like to take some visits this spring if at all possible. "Right now I know I want to take an official to North Carolina, Wake Forest and Kentucky. Those are probably my three priorities for official visits and also Illinois and Florida."

Kentucky, which was hot on him early, remains in the picture. "They haven't offered my yet," Semrau said. "I'm going to talk to their coaching staff a little more and see where I stand. I took an unofficial down there in September or October." Semrau said a Wildcat assistant had been in to see him play this season.

Like most high school kids his size, because of his height, Semrau has to play inside most of the time with his team. However, he's anxiously awaiting the time when he can transition from center to a different spot.

"I'm pretty comfortable at the small forward and power forward," Semrau said. "With AAU and working out a lot I think I'll make the transition to the 3 or 4 man in college."

Semrau said that he needs to get better as a rebounder but pointed out that he's shooting the ball even better than his reputation. "My jumpshot is really nice. I've been working on the 3-ball a lot. I think I'm going to get a personal trainer this summer for strength and I also play about 3 hours a day."

Semrau has a qualifying ACT score and is eligible for spring official visits.